September 2021
Don't Miss Your Flight!

“‘They will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”’
                                          Luke 23:30

Afghanistan was already a perilous place to live and now thousands are attempting to evacuate it while the world watches anxiously to see what will happen there without the presence of American military. The fear is that the country will lack human rights and non-Muslims will be persecuted. Business people, politicians, missionaries, and regular citizens are all trying to “get out of Dodge.” The Kabul airport was quickly taken over by Taliban forces and there is chaos as people want to flee the country.

The situation today in Afghanistan reminds me of John Wesley’s warnings “to flee the wrath to come.” God loves humanity but he also gets angry about our sin. There will be a day when God declares war on the earth and unleashes the fury of his wrath. It will be so bad that right before his crucifixion, Jesus warned about it. He said, people will want to die, though it will often evade them. They will cry out for boulders to cover them. You don’t want to be here when that time comes. It will be the worst and final era of human history known as “The Great Tribulation.” Those 7 years are described in the book of Revelation. The book is not chronological and is difficult to understand. However, at the start of chapter 1, we are promised a blessing right off the bat, if we read it and allow it to enhance our faith and heed it’s warning.

Before a country attacks another country it is common to withdraw its own citizens. I think that’s what God is going to do before he judges the earth. The event is known as the “rapture.” This is the catching away that is described in 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17, “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” It will be an unprecedented evacuation. People evacuate dangerous countries, and also for hurricanes, volcanoes, and floods. Christians will evacuate before the great tribulation. There is an urgency to prepare people to be ready. No one is going to want to be left behind. People may wonder when these spiritual space flights are going to happen and many mock the idea. We don’t know when. However, we need to be ready by being right with God, whether Jesus comes today or if it’s not for 50 years or more. This world is not our true home. As they say, "get right or get left." Those that evacuate Afghanistan give an example of the passion and even desperation that we need with regards to our Christian evacuation. The rapture is going to happen. It’s a flight you don’t want to miss. 

In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Mo Dunn
 
Cardio Drumming is Coming!
Cardio Drumming will be starting Wednesday, September 1 at 5pm.
If you are interested in participating and need a drum kit, please contact Leanne or the church office.
Adult Studies Starting Sept. 5
Spiritual Hospitality - Room 2
Relying on the Holy Spirit - Room 5
Join the Noodle Crew!
Help make homemade noodles!
Tues., Sept. 7 & Wed., Sept. 8, 1pm

Scrapbook Day
Saturday, September 11
9 am - 4 pm

Bring your current scrapbook project and come work and share with fellow scrapbookers.
Children & Youth Ministries
Kids Sunday School
Each Sunday Following Worship & Fellowship Time (approximately 10:05am)

Watch for coming details on our new Wednesday Night Kids Program, beginning September 15. at 6:30pm
New name, New Look,
New Fun!
1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month, along with special events throughout the year.
All kids Kindergarten - 6th grade are invited!
Youth will begin Sunday School on Sunday, September 12. Following Sunday School they will have a Youth Meeting. The McConnells will provide pizza. Please bring ideas for the upcoming year! All youth in grades 7-12 are invited!
2nd Sundays - September 12, 5pm
Food, Fellowship & the Word
Bring a dish to share, invite a friend and come enjoy food and fellowship as we do dinner and church around the table. Hope to see you on Sunday, September 12 at 5pm!
Board & Staff Meeting
Board and Staff will meet on Tuesday, September 14 at 6:30pm. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Thursday, September 16, 1-3pm
Come for an afternoon of fun and fellowship as we kick off our monthly Games & Goodies! The 3rd Thursday of each month we will play games and enjoy refreshments from 1 - 3pm. Everyone is invited! Bring a friend!
Homemade Donuts Drive Thru
Homemade Donuts Drive Thru
3rd Saturday of every month,
Next dates: Sat., September 18
starting at 7am while supplies last
Ayersville dozen for $4
4th Sunday Movie Nights

You're invited to Movie Night on Sunday, September 26 at 5pm.
Popcorn and drinks provided
Click here or on the picture for September's Church Events Calendar.
Community Breakfast may restart in October, but help is needed. If you can lend a hand, contact Joyce Cavanaugh or the church office.
1st Saturday of each month,
from 7:30-10:30am
Missions
Collection ideas for Operation Christmas Child:
September : Socks, gloves, mittens, underwear, shorts, long-sleeve and short sleett-shirts, leggings,
Collection continues for this year's Operation Christmas Child with different gift suggestions each month. You may bring donations to the church and place them in the collection box outside the Sanctuary. Spread love to children around the world by giving them the gift of Jesus.
Continue to
Worship God
through Giving
Offering plates are in the back
at each worship service or

Send donations to:
27728 Ayersville Rd.,
Defiance, Ohio 43512

or a donation drop box is available
under the carport at the church
Give online through Tithe.ly
Congrats to Simon and Kylee (Tressler) Miller who were married on August 2. We wish them God's blessings as they begin their life together!
"Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a real blessing!"
Psalm 127:3
Congrats to Charlie & Larissa Florence on the birth of their daughter, Reagan Grace Florence, born on August 2.
We wish them God's blessings as they celebrate the joy of a child!
Happy Birthday!
Jim Tobias September 1
Janet Stevens September 4
Amy Rahmel September 7
Jodie Mohr September 7
Mary Jo Kohl September 8
Bill Rieke September 13
Ken Ludwig September 15
Russell Walters September 16
Keith Kratzer September 22
Hannah Ledkins September 26
Ellie Adkins September 27
Bryan Woodson September 27
Craig Becher September 28
Kaleb Walters September 30
Happy Anniversary!
Bob & Julie Baldwin Sept. 6
Jerry & Janet Stevens Sept. 12

God's blessing to you on your special day! If you are celebrating a birthday or anniversary this month, we rejoice with you too! Please let us know so we may add it to our calendar.